Triggered gas switch with a sharply non-uniform electric field at the electrode with negative potential

The paper presents the results of studies for two triggered high-pressure gas switches intended for pulse-periodic capacitive storages with the stored energy level of about 100-1000 J. The operating voltage of the first switch is up to 50 kV, for the second switch is over 200 kV. A feature for both switches is a configuration with a sharply non-uniform field at the electrode with negative potential. In the charging process of a capacitive energy storage, a corona-streamer discharge occurs in the switch, the current of which increases with increasing voltage. Cathode discharge plasma shields a sharp cathode edge and local areas of inhomogeneity with increased emission and also gives a uniform flow of initiating electrons into the gap of the switch. As a result, conditions in the discharge gap vary slightly from pulse to pulse.